Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The changing status of women: foot binding; the Marriage Law 1950; the…
Full specification wording
Social and cultural changes, 1949–76: The changing status of women: foot binding; the Marriage Law 1950; the impact of collectivisation and the communes on women’s lives; women and the family; the nature and extent of change; the problem of changing traditional views, especially in the countryside.
This topic examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempted to transform women’s status after 1949.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
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Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempted to transform women’s status after 1949. Foot binding, a centuries-old practice that restricted women’s mobility and symbolised patriarchal control, was banned and gradually eradicated. The Marriage Law 1950 outlawed arranged marriage, concubinage and child betrothal, and gave women equal rights to divorce and property. Collectivisation and the communes drew women into agricultural and industrial work, but they often faced a double burden of paid labour and domestic duties. Women’s family roles changed as they gained legal equality, yet traditional attitudes persisted, especially in rural areas where customs and economic pressures slowed change. The extent of change was therefore uneven: legal advances were significant, but social and cultural transformation lagged behind, particularly in the countryside.
What earns the marks
- Foot binding was a traditional practice that restricted women’s mobility and was seen as a mark of beauty and status; the CCP banned it and campaigned against it, leading to its gradual decline.
- The Marriage Law 1950 abolished arranged marriages, concubinage and child betrothal, set a minimum age of marriage, and gave women equal rights to divorce and property.
- Collectivisation and the communes brought women into the workforce, but they often worked in lower-paid roles and retained responsibility for housework and childcare.
- Women’s family roles changed as they gained legal equality, but traditional expectations of obedience and domesticity persisted, especially in rural areas.
- The nature and extent of change varied: urban women experienced more change than rural women, and legal reforms often outpaced social reality.
- The problem of changing traditional views was greatest in the countryside, where customs, economic dependence and lack of education slowed the acceptance of new roles for women.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming that the Marriage Law 1950 immediately transformed women’s lives across China.
Put it right: In reality, enforcement was uneven and traditional practices continued, especially in rural areas.
Overlooking the double burden faced by women who entered the workforce while still being expected to do domestic work.
Treating foot binding as a practice that ended overnight after 1949.
Put it right: It was gradually eradicated through campaigns and generational change.
Ignoring regional differences and assuming that all women experienced the same degree of change.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples, such as the Marriage Law 1950 or the anti-foot binding campaigns, to illustrate your points.
- Analyse the extent of change by comparing legal reforms with social realities, and consider urban versus rural experiences.
- Link women’s status to broader CCP policies, such as collectivisation and the communes, to show understanding of causation.
- Evaluate the problem of traditional views by discussing factors like education, economic dependence and cultural norms.
Try the lesson
The start of the Social and cultural changes, 1949–76: The changing status of women: foot binding; the Marriage Law 1950; the impact of collectivisation and the communes on women’s lives; women and the family; the nature and extent of change; the problem of changing traditional views, especially in the countryside. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a key provision of the 1950 Marriage Law introduced by the Chinese Communist Party?
Listen
This topic examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempted to transform women’s status after 1949. Foot binding, a centuries-old practice that restricted women’s mobility and symbolised patriarchal control, was banned and gradually eradicated. The Marriage Law 1950 outlawed arranged marriage, concubinage and child betrothal, and gave women equal rights to divorce and property. Collectivisation and the communes drew women into agricultural and industrial work, but they often faced a double burden of paid labour and domestic duties. Women’s family roles changed as they gained legal equality, yet traditional attitudes persisted, especially in rural areas where customs and economic pressures slowed change. The extent of change was therefore uneven: legal advances were significant, but social and cultural transformation lagged behind, particularly in the countryside. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Foot binding was a traditional practice that restricted women’s mobility and was seen as a mark of beauty and status; the CCP banned it and campaigned against it, leading to its gradual decline. The Marriage Law 1950 abolished arranged marriages, concubinage and child betrothal, set a minimum age of marriage, and gave women equal rights to divorce and property. Collectivisation and the communes brought women into the workforce, but they often worked in lower-paid roles and retained responsibility for housework and childcare. Women’s family roles changed as they gained legal equality, but traditional expectations of obedience and domesticity persisted, especially in rural areas. Exam tip: Use specific examples, such as the Marriage Law 1950 or the anti-foot binding campaigns, to illustrate your points.
Key words
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Gender equality and legal reform
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Social and cultural continuity and change
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Urban–rural divide
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State power and traditional customs
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See every definition
- Gender equality and legal reform
- The Marriage Law 1950 gave women equal rights to divorce and property, but legal advances were significant while social and cultural transformation lagged behind.
- Social and cultural continuity and change
- Legal reforms often outpaced social reality, and traditional expectations of obedience and domesticity persisted, especially in rural areas.
- Urban–rural divide
- Urban women experienced more change than rural women, and the problem of changing traditional views was greatest in the countryside.
- State power and traditional customs
- The CCP banned foot binding and campaigned against it, leading to its gradual decline, yet customs and economic pressures slowed change in rural areas.
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